Lunch perfect for the patio!

So over Fall Break I had the perfect opportunity to try out one of the many recipes that I pin on Pinterest. So that I could try more than one, I decided to do a whole meal!!

Mini cucumber sandwiches with an herb cream cheese on the center (feel free to add dill for extra taste)

A twist on a fruit salad; includes pears, grapes, and apples along with walnuts and sharp cheddar cheese. The dressing consists of apple juice, apple vinegar, oil, salt and pepper

The main meal was shrimp cooked with a lime and cilantro, served over a bed of brown rice. The lime and cilantro added just enough flavor with out the calories (feel free to add garlic for more flavor)

For dessert we made frozen strawberries covered in greek yogurt. I was the perfect healthy dessert that gave you just the right amount of sweet. 

All of these dishes took so little time to make, and were all very healthy. It was the perfect lunch for sitting out on the patio by the pool and conversing with good company. Cooking this meal not only gave me the opportunity to eat and be healthy but also to do something with my boyfriend for his family, and gave us something to work at together. That to me is the real beauty of cooking, you can make something yummy and pretty and bond while doing it! The meal was a huge success and has gotten not only me, but him as well on a cooking kick, so hopefully I stop burning so many things! 

Cool Hunting in Austin, Texas

This Monday I had the opportunity to go to Austin and walk around downtown finding people who I thought embodied a new trend or style. I had so much fun doing this, walking up to people and asking for their picture was exhilarating and all of them were flattered and more than happy to pose for the picture.
Some of my favorite people were:

I am totally loving the midi high boots in army style with dresses!! 

Shirts that are tucked in or hit just at the pant line are definitely a trend down there! 

Probably one of my favorite people, he was adorable, and his outfit was perfection. The rolled up jeans are going to be big for guys!

This is one of my best friends Joe actually embodying the trend I found most exciting for guys! Love the jeans!

This was the last girl I met and I love everything about her outfit, tucked in top and boots! Can't get much better than that!

Being in Austin and getting an opportunity to do this really helped hone my eye for what was new and different but in a way that will really catch on. Fashion is all about expressing ones self and creating an image and that is exactly what these people are doing, and they are most definitely staying ahead of the curve. I plan on going back there on a much more regular basis so that I can keep up with what is around the corner and just to enjoy the people and the atmosphere in one of the most amazing and trendiest cities in the nation!